Direct Object Pronouns

 

Compare the following groups of sentences:

 

1.    Siempre pongo las maletas en el compartimiento de arriba -> Siempre las pongo en el compartimiento de arriba.

 

2.    ¿Dónde facturo el equipaje? -> ¿Dónde lo facturo?

 

3.    Quiero llevar los audífonos en el avión. -> Quiero llevarlos en el avión.

 

How do the 2nd set of phrases differ from the 1st? Are they longer or shorter? What words are missing? What words have taken their place? Where are the “replacement” words in the 2nd phrases placed within the sentence?

 

·        The key thing to remember about pronouns is that they “TAKE THE PLACE OF NOUNS.”

·        Some pronouns that you are already familiar with are the Subject pronouns: (Yo, Tú, él/ella/Ud., Nosotros, ellos/ellas/Uds.)

·        A direct object receives the action of the verb, that is, follows the action/verb. It can be a person or a thing.

·        The corresponding direct object pronouns are as follows: me, te, (lo/la), nos, (los/las).

·        Once you have determined which object pronoun to use, it is then placed in front of the conjugated verb.

·        The only time that the pronoun would not be placed in front of the conjugated verb is when you have an infinitive verb, in which case the pronoun is placed after and attached to the infinitive verb.

 

Re-write the following sentences first substituting the correct vocabulary word and then substitute the object pronoun in its correct location.

 

1.    Yo quiero  (pillow).

2.    Voy a comprar  (ticket).

3.    Saco (passport and visa).

4.    Necesito facturar (luggage).

5.    Prefiero un (non-stop flight).

6.    ¿Tienes un (aisle seat)?

7.    ¿Comparaste (prices and schedules)?

8.    ¿Hiciste (bags/suitcases)?